"Last month's opening of FireKeepers Casino created the potential for new revenue for area governments - and possible conflict about how that money would be disbursed.

But at least one political issue has been resolved with the finalization of a new gaming compact between the state and the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi, which operates the casino.

The original compact established a three-member Local Revenue Sharing Board to oversee the 2 percent of FireKeepers' slot-machine revenue which will go to local governments.

Two of the seats on the board were designated for representa-tives of Calhoun County and Emmett Township, with a lot of debate surrounding who would occupy the third seat. Many different governmental bodies were making cases for why they should be part of the governing board, hoping to gain an advantage when it comes time to make revenue decisions.

But the new compact expands the Local Revenue Sharing Board to six members."

Get the Story:
Editorial: More voices at the table (The Battle Creek Enquirer 9/16)